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POSITION SUMMARY
The Communications and Media Relations Specialist (Bilingual) reports to the Communications Manager and is a member of the Firm-wide Communications Team. This position supports the Firm’s regional, national and international communications strategies. Main areas of responsibility include media relations, public relations, social media, writing, project management and execution of corporate communications activities. The Specialist is responsible for helping to enhance Fasken Martineau’s reputation and promote its brand through developing critical relationships with key stakeholders including the media, external organizations and sponsors, lawyers, senior executives, functional departments and marketing and business development staff. The incumbent of this role must have outstanding French language skills in addition to very strong English writing and speaking skills. Our preference is for this position to be located at the Firm’s Montreal office.
RESPONSIBITIES
- Supports the Communications Manager to develop, execute, promote and measure multi-channel communications strategies to increase brand awareness and support the Firm’s business development plans;
- Develops, writes and produces materials in both English and French including media releases, key messages, and website and social media content;
- Acts as the primary contact for the French language media and works with the Director of Marketing & Business Development for Quebec Region on all escalated media issues;
- Educates, works closely and builds relationships with regional marketing teams and the Firm-wide marketing and business development staff to create and execute proactive media opportunities and communications plans to secure positive editorial coverage for industry and practice groups of focus and regional initiatives;
- Reviews, updates and maintains the Media section of the Firm’s website including posting press releases and media coverage items using a web-based content management platform;
- Coaches lawyers on media preparation, writes key messages and speaking notes for managing partners as necessary;
- Provides quality control for all communication documents produced in the French language;
- Develops and maintains media contact lists both nationally and regionally, and for various practice groups as needed, for print, digital and bloggers;
- Stays on top of current trends in the news, PR and social media communications to leverage opportunities to progress brand awareness;
- Works with lawyers and business development staff to develop proactive media stories, and thought leadership material and placements;
- Cold calls media outlets to promote stories and story ideas, which will promote the Firm and the Firm's brand;
- Coordinates, maintains and tracks the editorial calendars of international, national, local and industry media outlets;
- Assists the Manager with regular reporting on the Firm's media relations measurements;
- Maintains a subject matter expert list paring media trained lawyers with targeted practice group areas and areas of interest;
- Other related duties as assigned by the Manager.
POSITION REQUIREMENTS
- A degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or a related discipline;
- Five to seven years’ of experience in media relations or communications;
- Impeccable communication skills (spoken and written) in French and English;
- Experience working in a law firm (preferable) or other professional services environment (e.g. accounting).
REQUIRED SKILLS
- Excellent project management, time management, attention to detail, organizational skills
- Ability to work under pressure, meet tight deadlines and work autonomously;
- Superior client service skills with a sense of urgency;
- Excellent writing and proofreading skills in both French and English and ;
- Attention to detail and strong problem-solving skills;
- Excellent knowledge of the Canadian media environment;
- Proficiency in MS Office (Word; Excel; PowerPoint);
- Strong interpersonal and diplomatic skills;
- Experience working with web-based content management systems (an asset) or the ability to learn how it works.
If you are interested in this position, please submit your application by e-mail to the following address: rhmtl@fasken.com.
We appreciate your interest in the career opportunities within our firm. However, please note that only selected candidates will be contacted.
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